Logic dictates to decode things and draw rational observations from what’s available but old habits dictate to draw criticism and bring more of it to the fore! Isn’t it? Perhaps most true for what it stands at the moment is the subject of Shreyas Iyer and his captaincy in the United Kingdom. What’s important to factor in before we draw our weapons of harsh judgement levelled against Shreyas Iyer is to draw an important fact into consideration. And it’s that he is still missing out on a few big names in the Indian squad- such as Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya; one of whom was rested (not Iyer’s call), and one who is currently out injured.
But then what’s also true is that Iyer’s not been at his immediate best as India’s full time recently made T20I captain.
That’s even if he’s made runs finally in the most recent contest, the rest of the batters playing around him have failed to produce the runs!
But while a sense of scrutiny surrounding India’s series loss to England has drawn up conclusions from all corners, it’s important to underline some basic facts.
Whether you like the fact or not, the main thing that can’t be discounted or demerited is the fact that Shreyas Iyer is a wonderful talent with the bat and perhaps a skipper who with getting used to some gruelling challenges and testing times, especially away from home, a challenge the Mumbai born is currently enduring.
But while not starring in his great defence, team India’s Assistant Coach, former Dutch cricketer Ryan ten Deschote has offered an analytical point of view without sharpening weapons of judgment:
“When you are in this position of managing or even coaching a team like India, you have to foreplan as well. Surya was a fantastic leader, but if you weigh up where he is age-wise, and if you’re looking at two years down the line in Australia, you have to make some really tough calls. There are going to be a million opinions about it; the immediate backlash of transitioning to a new captain: losing two games against Ireland and being 3-0 down this series in England, I get that the optics of it aren’t good. But I think it’s important to look at things holistically. We’ve made a few changes to the team. Hardik and Jasprit make a big difference to the team.
Not in his defence, but we have a different squad with slightly different weapons, but we just need to give Shreyas a little bit of time to grow into the role and for the players to adapt to his captaincy style.”
Therefore, should there be any sense in constantly berating one of India’s foremost talents with the bat in the current scheme of things that is Shreyas Iyer, who’s not an absolute stranger where it comes to leadership roles or should one exercise restraint before offering a view, however harsh or critical might that be?
